The mysidacea of two marsh embayments on the Texas coast.

Date

1972

Authors

Conte, F.S.

Journal Title

Journal ISSN

Volume Title

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Abstract

Crustacea were collected from 2 marsh embayments, Alligator and Oyster Lakes, located west of West Bay, Galveston, Texas. Collections were taken twice a month during the period of October 1967, through August 1969 from 2 replicate stations located in each embayment. Collections were made using a 10-foot otter trawl of 2 cm mesh with a 1 cm mesh on the cod end. An additional liner of 3 mm mesh was placed over the cod end to capture smaller organisms that passed through the trawl. The trawl, with its liner, was then pulled through the water by an airboat at a constant speed of 4 mph for 3 minutes. The taxonomic characters of each mysid species were described and the abundance of each species collected was compared in relation to temperature and salinity. Mysidopsis almyra Bowman was the most abundant species in all seasons throughout the study and was collected in salinities ranging between 0.0 and 29.0 ppt. Larger abundance of M. almyra were taken from Alligator Lake, which exhibited lower salinity range than that of Oyster Lake. Mysidopsis bahia Molenock was taken in greater abundances from the higher salinity waters of Oyster Lake, which ranged between 3.0 and 28.0 ppt. Taphromysis louisiana Banner, previously reported from fresh static waters, was collected from both embayments with salinities ranging between 0.0 and 26.0 ppt. Greater abundances were found in Alligator Lake. A few specimens of Bowmaniella brasiliensis Bacescu, previously collected only from Brazil, were collected from both embayments with salinities ranging between 0.0 and 10.0 ppt. One specimen of Brasilomysis castori Bacescu was collected from Oyster Lake in late December, 1967, when the salinity was 12.0 ppt. Previously this species was reported only from coastal marine waters of Brazil and southern Florida.; TAMUG periodical collection

Description

p. 597.

Keywords

marine crustaceans, trawl nets, seasonal distribution, Mysidopsis almyra, Mysidopsis bahia, Taphromysis louisiana, Bowmaniella brasiliensis, Brasilomysis castori, mysids, distribution records

Citation